Liquid extraction cleaning device and method

Abstract

A liquid extraction cleaning device comprises a main unit, a liquid pump, a flexible hose, and a hand tool. The main unit comprises a vacuum pump. The hand tool comprises a vacuum inlet port, an agitator, a spray nozzle, and a grip portion. The vacuum inlet port of the hand tool is operatively connected to the vacuum pump via the hose passageway in a manner such that the vacuum pump is capable of drawing fluid through the vacuum inlet port and into the hose passageway. The spray nozzle is operatively connected to the liquid pump in a manner such that the liquid pump is capable of forcing liquid out of the spray nozzle.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A liquid extraction cleaning device comprising:
 a main unit, the main unit comprising a vacuum pump; 
 a liquid pump; 
 a flexible hose surrounding a hose passageway, the flexible hose being operatively connected to the vacuum pump in a manner such that the vacuum pump is capable of drawing fluid through the hose passageway; 
 a hand tool, the hand tool comprising a vacuum inlet port, a powered agitator, a spray nozzle, a grip portion, an agitator switch, and a spray switch, the hand tool being connected to the main unit by the flexible hose such that the hand tool is movable relative to the main unit, the vacuum inlet port being operatively connected to the vacuum pump via the hose passageway of the flexible hose in a manner such that the vacuum pump is capable of drawing fluid through the vacuum inlet port and into the hose passageway, the spray nozzle being operatively connected to the liquid pump in a manner such that the liquid pump is capable of forcing liquid out of the spray nozzle, the powered agitator being moveable relative to grip portion, the agitator switch being configured and adapted to control the operation of the powered agitator, the spray switch being configured and adapted to control whether the liquid pump receives electricity, the powered agitator being between the vacuum inlet and the spray nozzle, the spray nozzle being between the grip portion and the agitator. 
 
     
     
       2. A liquid extraction cleaning device in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the main unit comprises a recessed cradle configured and adapted to releasably hold the hand tool when the liquid extraction cleaning device is stored in a manner such that the spray nozzle of the hand tool is above the liquid pump and the flexible hose during storage. 
     
     
       3. A liquid extraction cleaning device in accordance with  claim 2  wherein the main unit comprises a hose storage receptacle, and the hose storage receptacle is configured and adapted to releasably hold the flexible hose beneath the spray nozzle of the hand tool during storage. 
     
     
       4. A liquid extraction cleaning device in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the hand tool comprises an electric motor that is operatively connected to the agitator in a manner such that operation of the electric motor causes the agitator to move relative to the grip portion, and the agitator switch is configured and adapted to control whether the electric motor receives electricity. 
     
     
       5. A liquid extraction cleaning device in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the liquid extraction device is configured and adapted such that the liquid switch operates on direct current below twenty-five volts, and the liquid pump is configured and adapted to operate on alternating current. 
     
     
       6. A liquid extraction cleaning device in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the liquid pump is fixed in position relative to the main unit.